Greens will save families £10,000 per child
Bold new plans from the Scottish Greens would save families £10,000 per child as part of the biggest expansion of free childcare for a generation.
The party’s manifesto will include commitments to roll out 1140 hours funded childcare to all two year olds in Scotland and provide 570 hours of funded childcare to every child from 6 months to 2 years old.
This would save families £10,000 per child over the course of 2.5 years, helping to tackle inequality and opening up opportunities for thousands of parents.
The party’s co-leader, Gillian Mackay, said:
“Today is a celebration of mothers and their children, but a lot of mothers are finding things really difficult. They love their children more than anything else, but they are struggling.
“Everything is getting more expensive. For far too many families, the cost of a nursery is more than they are spending on their rent or mortgage payments.
“When childcare costs so much it pushes women out of the workforce, widens the gender pay gap, and locks working-class parents out of opportunities.
“Nobody should be forced to choose between cutting their working hours, or cutting back on essentials to make the sums add up.
“It doesn’t need to be like this, and our parliament has the opportunity to act.
“High quality, affordable childcare is an investment in parents as well as children, and that is why it is such a priority for us.
“It is one of the most crucial steps we can take to tackle inequality, both for children and families and for women returning to work.
“Every vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote to support mothers and young families and to build a greener and kinder future where every child can thrive.”